When Mourning Becomes a Battleground: Charlie Kirk Vigils and the Test of Free Speech
– 2 min read
According to Just the News, what should have been simple vigils of prayer and remembrance for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk have instead become moments of conflict—exposing how fragile America’s commitment to free expression has become.
In Morristown, Tennessee, citizens seeking to hold a candlelight vigil were denied a permit. The reason: a city ordinance banning “political or religious activities” in vendor zones. Attorneys at First Liberty Institute have warned the restriction violates both the Constitution and Tennessee’s religious liberty protections. City leaders insist the rule is neutral and suggested alternate locations—but to many, the denial is clear viewpoint discrimination dressed in legal language.
Elsewhere, hostility has been anything but subtle. Just the News reports a Kirk memorial in Colorado was set on fire. At Texas Tech, a student was arrested and expelled after allegedly striking a mourner. In Florida and beyond, vigils have been marred by vandalism, threats, and confrontation.
In response, Young America’s Foundation has launched a “Contract for Safe Campus Dialogue,” calling on over 3,000 colleges to guarantee equal access to venues, neutral security policies, and protection against discrimination. Their push follows earlier legal victories, such as a settlement with UC Berkeley that struck down biased restrictions against conservative speakers.
These flashpoints are not isolated. They reveal a deeper battle for the soul of the republic: Will Americans be free to grieve, to pray, to speak—and to do so without fear of violence or suppression? Or will our institutions bend to the mob, redefining “freedom” to mean speech only for the approved and the popular?
The vigils for Charlie Kirk remind us: free expression is not a partisan privilege. It is the birthright of every citizen. And when that right is denied to the mourner, the dissenter, or the faithful, it is denied to us all.
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Charlie Kirk vigils prompt physical and legal fights, as conservatives seek equal campus treatment
City says banning prayer from vendor space is constitutional. Young America’s Foundation asks college leaders to sign “contract” pledging to welcome conservative speakers, allocate “appropriate security” without discriminatory fees.
Greg Piper
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